Loose-leaf binder.



J. 0. DECKERT.

LOOSE LEAF BINDER.

APPLICATION. mu) MAY 19. 1916.

Patented Jan. 23, 1917.

JOSEPH O. DECKERT, 0F PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO WILLIAM MANN COMPANY, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF PENN- SYLVANIA.

LOOSE-LEAF BINDER.

Application filed May 19, 1916.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JosnPH O. Dnoxnnr, a citizen of the United States, residing in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, have invented certain Improvements in Loose-Leaf Binders, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to certain improvements in that type of binders in which a permanent back is used provided with means for holding a series of loose leaves, the binder being so arranged that its sides can be moved toward or from each other to accommodate the leaves held thereby.

The invention also relates to that type of binder in which an adjusting screw is used to contract or expand the binder and in which telescoping rods are carried by the side members which pass through the perforations in the leaves.

The object of the invention is to simplify the construction of a binder of the above described type and to reduce the number of parts necessary to operate the binder and to hold the elements rigidly in any position to which they are adjusted. The adjusting screw is provided with a head to which a key can be applied, but it will be understood that a lock arrangement can be used. which will require a key to release the lock and the continued turning of the key will operate the screw.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a view of the binder looking from the interior and showing a part in section, the sides and the leaves being omitted; Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view on the line 22, Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the nut having the integral diagonal arms; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a portion of one of the side members showing one of the boxes; Fig. 5 is a view illustrating a modi fication of one of the boxes; and Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing a horizontal guide which may be used in binders of the larger sizes.

Referring to the drawings, 1 is the back of the binder, preferably made of metal and covered with leather, or other suitable material.

2, 2 are the adjustable side members shaped, as shown, and recessed to accom.

modate the adjusting means and having hinge butts 3 to which are pivoted the sides 4 of the back by pivot rods 5.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented J an. 23, 1917.

Serial No. 98,603.

6 and 7 are rods, one telescoping within theother. One rod is attached to one of the side members 2 and the other to the opposite side member so that they will accommodate themselves to the movement of the side members when they are adjusted. These rods are of a diameter to extend through the slots in the leaves which are held in the binder and the number of leaves can be increased or reduced, as desired. After there is a certain number of leaves in the binder, the parts 2 can be drawn together to firmly hold the leaves in position. This is a common method of retaining the leaves used in this type of binder. I

8 is a longitudinal adjusting rod adapted to bearings 9 secured to the back 1 and this rod has two screw threaded sections 10 and 1.0. One of these sections has a right hand thread thereonand the other has a left hand thread.

11 and 11 are two nuts adapted respectively to the threaded portions 10 and 10. On turning the rod by a key, shown by dotted lines in Fig. 1, the nuts are traversed on the rod toward or from each other. A stop 12 on the rod limits the inward movement of the nut 11 and, consequently, the nut 11. On each nut are diagonally arranged arms 13, preferably made integral with the nuts, and these arms are adapted to diagonally arranged boxes 14 secured by rivets, or other fastenings, to the flat portions 2 of the adjustable side members 2. The arms 13 snugly lit in the inclined recesses 15 in the boxes 14 and these boxes hold the arms, both as regard diagonal movement and lateral movement, dispensing with the ordinary guide plates usually employed in this type of binder and which are generally located at each end thereof. By turning the screw rod in one direction, the nuts are moved toward each other forcing the side members 2 away from each other and increasing the width of the space between the side members. On reversing the direction of movement of the screw, the nuts are moved from each other and the side members are drawn toward each other.

In Figs. 2 and 4 of the drawings, I have shown the Hat portion 2 of the side members as forming the base of the slot 15 in the boxes 14, but, in some instances, as illustrated in Fig. 5, the boxes 14*- may be made complete with a bottom member 14 forming the base and these parts can be made integral or may be Welded or brazed together and fitted to the arms 13 before being secured to the portions 2 of the side members. It is essential inassembling the parts of the binder to have the back 1 fit snugly against the side members 2 and in large binders it may be necessary to draw the center portion of the back in contact with the side members by a guide plate 16, shown in Fig. (3, having a base portion 17 secured to the back 1. -The plate 16 extends over the flat portions of the side members and holds them in contact with the back. The guide plate is notched at 18 for the free passage of the rod 8.

By the above construction, it will be seen that I am enabled to make a simple and substantial loose leaf binder in which the elements for expanding and contracting the binder are so formed as to hold the parts firmly together.

1 claim:

1. The combination in a loose leaf binder, of a back and adjustable side members; a rod having right and left hand screw threads thereon; two nuts, one on each threaded portion of the rod; diagonal arms carried by the nuts; boxessecured to the side members in which the diagonal arms are mounted and by which the back is rigidly held to the adjustable side members, the parts being so arranged that, on turning the which the back is rigidly held to the adjust- I able side members so that on turning the rod in one direction the nuts \Vlll be moved apart and the side members will be drawn together and when the nuts are moved in the opposite direction the side members will be forced apart.

3. The combination in a binder, of a back; side sections having flat portions and having means for retaining the leaves to the binder; a longitudinal rod having two threaded sections; bearings for said rod secured to the back; a nut on each threaded section of the rod; diagonal arms projecting laterally from the nut; inclosed boxes 011 the flat portions of the side members of the binder having diagonal slots in which the arms are titted; a centrally located guide plate secured to the back and extending on the inner side of the flat portions of the side members and having an opening for the passage of the rod; and a stop on the rod to limit the outward movement of the nuts and the side members.

JOSEPH O. DECKERT.

Gopies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, I). C. 

